New Identity Buses In Mount Druitt?

In our Group Meeting yesterday there was an interesting statement made, that could changes our Buses in and out of Mount Druitt. And that is it has been heard around the traps that the New South Wales Government could change all buses to the  'Blue and White' buses the the New South Wales Government operate,

For private operators that mean they will lose the their marketing identity, yet the private bus operators bus drivers may retain their uniform. This was news to me - would it change the way buses run? Probably not! Would it  identify our buses and  with Sydney city run buses? To a great extent Yes!

What's your thoughts on this?
 +  = 

Request For Shopping Trolleys On Trains!

Last night I met e nice young lady called 'Rachael',who was struggling to get 4 heavy duty plastic bags - loaded with Christmas gifts purchased from Blacktown. They were all large bag hat could no be handed in two hands at once.

I immediately offered to to offload the 4 bags off the train station at Mount Druitt . Another young gentleman assisted with his girlfriend watching. We took the heavy bags up the elevator  and left it near the turn styles. She told me the police emptied her 4 bags as they were checked at Blacktown and wasn't allowed to take a shopping trolley with herself on the train. In that respect I agree!

Then three of us guarded  the bags on the  top of the train station as she went to get a shopping trolley to take it down. About ten minutes later she arrived with the shopping trolley and we helped her - she thanked us for our help and  said she will walk home with the shopping trolley at home. The other young lady said while Rachael was away that trains should cater for shopping trolleys - i did say it sounded like a good idea but as I think about it -shopping trolleys are used only for local shopping not for different town/city shopping and transporting!

Not Only Has 'Australia Got Talent' But Mount Druitt Has As Well - Michael Jackson Action!

Yes Michael Jackson the singer & dancer is alive with 'Michael Jackson Action' from Mount Druitt. Johnny from Mount Druitt is a local celebrity and identity and relates with the young and  thirties age population.

I personally met Johnny and I was overwhelmed with how people treated him as a star. There was a young gentleman that provide him with loose coins out of the blue a t Parramatta train Station , for being talented as he is - Yet he is older than me 55 years and acts as  the young Michael Jackson was.

He is is support of public transport, drives a car from Emerton to Mount Druitt and catches trains to all places around Sydney, where he performs - he considers our group a vital linchpin to get public transport back on track in the future and he will support our group wholeheartedly.

He migrated from Nasinu, Fiji and was busketing in Sydney when friends of his went to "Australia's Got Talent 2010' and they won the major prize. He Believes that Sydney people are the best people in the world and they are the ones that make it the best when they smile.

If anyone needs to contact him for a show etc here is his e-mail address:

mjackson2010@live.com.au

Here is his act on "Australia's Got Talent'
Michael Jackson Action


And her is his friends that won in 2010:
winner of australia's got talent 2010: Justice Crew

Mount Druitt Volunteer - Spending Time Restoring Former Tug Boats, Sydney Ferries and Tall Ships!

David a retired gentleman from Mount Druitt a former office worker  now volunteers his time of 18 hours per week at the 'Sydney Heritage Fleet' restoring old boats: ferries, tug boats and tall ships at Pyrmont, Cockle Bay, Sydney. Currently he assisting the restoration of the Kanangra ( see details below obtained from SHF.

These people are great for Sydney, especially David - he  travels by train and return for his volunteering days and has since learnt painting, carpentry and takes great pride of his job. His passion to  get these boats back on float for  putting back into public use. He advised although it is a small group doing this - they are always looking for  volunteers to assist. David has live din this wonderful country for over 40 years after migrating and wanted to give back something to the country this is his way of saying thank you

According to Cybil at the office, there a 'Fleeting orientation Day' to see if you want to volunteer further time and then it is all up to you as to how you assist to get these  boats out into the sea.

Should anyone want to be a volunteer: these are the contact details:

 sedwards@shf.org.au and contact the office on 02 92983888   ring between 9-5pm Monday to Fridays

Sydney Heritage Fleet

 Kanangra 1912

     Last of the double-ended
     Sydney inner harbour ferries

Kanangra when a coal fired steam ferry

Two principal Sydney Harbour passenger transport requirements emerged early in the twentieth century. One was for a ferry to operate inner-harbour runs such as Circular Quay to Mosman. The other was for a ferry capable of crossing the open water between the Heads on the Circular Quay to Manly run. The vessels designed for inner-harbour use became known as the Sydney Ferries, a term still in use today.

On 18th December 1911, a new service to Cremorne was inaugurated by Sydney Ferries Ltd. To serve this route five double-ended ferries were built: Kirrule, Kiandra,Kubu, Kirawa and Kanangra was built by Morts Dock and Engineering Company Ltd. and was launched at Woolwich Dock on 14th August 1912. Originally a coal-fired steamer she is constructed of riveted steel with wooden decks and superstructure and could carry over 1000 passengers on her two decks. Her original steam engine was removed in 1959 and replaced with a diesel engine.

In later years, Kanangra operated weekday peak-hour services to Cockatoo Island and Mosman and on Sundays and public holidays would provide a harbour cruise to Middle Harbour. Kanangra remained in service until 1985.

Kanangra was presented to the Sydney Heritage Fleet by the New South Wales Government. Ferries are a vital part of Sydney's waterscape and very much part of our heritage.Kanangra is an important part of the Fleet's collection and is currently undergoing restoration.

Vital Statistics:

Overall length	155ft (47.2m)
Beam	31ft (9.5m)
Displacement	295 tons
Powered by	Crossley diesel engine
Acquired by the Fleet	1987

Acquired by the Fleet

1987

                                                               Kanangra.awaiting restoration

Fare Increases 2/1/2012

Normally, we would have good news but NSW Governments Independent Pricing And Remuneration Tribunal  have a new Years gift for 2012 for you and here it is: Fares Increase

Obtained from Transport NSW Info or here it is;

News - Detail

Fare increases from 2 January 2012

Start: 02/01/2012 12:00 AM 

The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) announced a fare increase which will take effect from Monday 2 January 2012.

The fare increase means an adult single rail ticket will rise by between 20 and 40 cents; a weekly MyTrain ticket will rise by between $1 and $3; a single adult bus ticket will increase by between 10 and 20 cents; and a MyBus TravelTen will rise by between 80 cents and $1.60.

Fares for private ferries and Newcastle’s Stockton Ferry will also rise by between 30 and 40 cents.

The $2.50 Family Funday Sunday and Pensioner Excursion Tickets will not increase.

We recommend customers allow extra time to purchase their ticket on Tuesday 3 January 2012, as many people will be returning to work.  Commuters are advised to consider buying longer-term tickets before the New Year to take advantage of cheaper fares.

MyMulti

Ticket	MyMulti DayPass	MyMulti1	MyMulti2	MyMulti3
Adult	$21.00	-	-	-
Concession	$10.50	-	-	-
Adult Weekly	-	$43.00	$51.00	$60.00
Concession Weekly	-	$21.50	$25.50	$30.00
Adult Monthly	-	$164.00	$194.00	$232.00
Concession Monthly	-	-	-	-
Adult Quarterly	-	$452.00	$533.00	$638.00
Concessions Quarterly	-	-	-	-
Adult Yearly	-	$1632.00	$1929.00	$2311.00
Concession Yearly	-	-	-	-

MyTrain

Ticket	MyTrain1 0 - 10kms	MyTrain2 10 - 20kms	MyTrain3 20 - 35kms	MyTrain4 35 - 65kms	MyTrain5 65kms +
Adult Single	$3.40	$4.20	$4.80	$6.40	$8.20
Concession Single	$1.70	$2.10	$2.40	$3.20	$4.10
Adult off-peak Return	$4.60	$5.80	$6.60	$8.80	$11.40
Child off-peak Return	$2.30	$2.90	$3.30	$4.40	$5.70
Adult Return	$6.80	$8.40	$9.60	$12.80	$16.40
Child Return	$3.40	$4.20	$4.80	$6.40	$8.20
Adult Weekly	$26.00	$33.00	$39.00	$50.00	$59.00
Concession Weekly	$13.00	$16.50	$19.50	$25.00	$29.50
Adult 14-day	$52.00	$66.00	$78.00	$100.00	$118.00
Concession 14-day	$26.00	$33.00	$39.00	$50.00	$59.00
Adult Monthly	$95.00	$120.00	$142.00	$182.00	$215.00
Concession Monthly	$47.50	$60.00	$71.00	$91.00	$107.50
Adult Quarterly	$260.00	$330.00	$390.00	$500.00	$590.00
Concession Quarterly	$130.00	$165.00	$195.00	$250.00	$295.00
Adult Yearly	$1040.00	$1320.00	$1560.00	$2000.00	$2360.00
Concession Yearly	$520.00	$660.00	$780.00	$1000.00	$1180.00

MyBus

Ticket	MyBus1 1-2 Sections	MyBus2 3-5 Sections	MyBus3 6+ Sections
Adult Single	$2.10	$3.50	$4.50
Concession Single	$1.00	$1.70	$2.20
Adult TravelTen	$16.80	$28.00	$36.00
Concession TravelTen	$8.40	$14.00	$18.00

MyFerry

Ticket	MyFerry1	MyFerry2
Adult Single	$5.60	$7.00
Concession Single	$2.80	$3.50
Adult Return	$11.20	$14.00
Concession Return	$5.60	$7.00
Adult TravelTen	$44.80	$56.00
Concession TravelTen	$22.40	$28.00

 Newcastle

Ticket	Adult	Concession
1 Hour	$3.50	$1.70
1 Hour TimeTen	$28.30	$14.10
4 Hour	$6.80	$3.40
23 Hour (all day)	$10.30	$5.10
Stockton Ferry Single	$2.40	$1.20
Orange TravelPass Weekly	$37.00	$18.50
Orange TravelPass Quarterly	$406.00	-
Orange TravelPass Yearly	$1477.00	-
Green TravelPass Weekly	$51.00	$25.50
Green TravelPass Quarterly	$531.00	-
Green TravelPass Yearly	$1920.00	-

Happy New Year For 2012!

'Trip View' - Iphone applications!

Hi, I'm not an Iphone fanatic but I have been told if you wanted to check bus stops locations/time use the 'Trip Virew' on your Iphone, it will make life easier to move on public transport! A mount Druitt resident told me this - another great knowable person!


 I believe there are a few developers of this application and here is one of them:
Click here for application/Developer: Grofsoft  *

We will refer to have the 131500 bus stop numbers placed on this application to any developers that have 'Time View'!

*I have been advised that this applicatiion may cost $1 - check with the developer first!
Some examples:

More Security Required On Night Trains!

Susie, a hard working and travelling commuter from Mount Druitt travels on her working days right through to Bondi. That is from West to East and back to West and in doing so catches 2 buses and one train. She has been commuting for 12 years since moving from Maroubra and has been generally happy with transport services with those 12 years.

What she would like to see improved ( if she had the magic ball) is security guards, police and/or transit officers on all trains protecting the commuters against any anti-social behaviours. This would  make commuters have safer journeys and trips to and from home! She expressed her concern during school holidays where there should be an increase in safety officers for the record a as this is when there is an increase in anti-social activity on public transport.

Westbus Christmas Bus - Mount Druitt-St Marys Star

Westbus Yuletide rolls round again

BY KYLIE STEVENS

13 Dec, 2011 01:00 AM

TERRY Hession and his Westbus colleagues are dreaming of a bright Christmas for sick kids.

Drivers at the St Marys depot have decorated five Christmas buses which have hit the road to raise money for Nepean Hospital's children's ward.

The decorated buses will travel on different routes between Penrith, St Marys, Penrith and surrounding suburbs each day so all passengers can admire the creations. Another two will hit the streets in Penrith CBD this week as extra free shuttle services.

Westbus has invited passengers to get into the festive spirit by dropping spare change into donation buckets on the Christmas buses.

Mr Hession came up with the idea to spread Christmas cheer to the area six years ago and started off with one decorated bus. "Everyone loves it, particularly the kids and old ladies," he said. "People's faces light up when they see the signs and the Christmas tree. I also play carols. "

This is the third year donations have been collected for sick children at Nepean Hospital. They hope to better the $1500 raised last year. Almost $250 was collected the first week alone when decorations went up in mid November.
The festivities also add morale to the depot. "We have one driver who dresses as Father Christmas," said assistant depot manager Phil Davies. "The drivers decorated the buses in their spare time."

Tinsel travel: Westbus drivers Terry Hession and Gaylene Morrow have been spreading the Christmas spirit since mid November.Picture: Mike Sea

Customer Service Training Needed By Bus Drivers - Inside Information!

So hopefully interested transport officers will listen and learn and make bus drivers go through this customer service course to present a good image, not only for the better of themselves but for the commuters!

Total honesty prevails. Yes, true to the story being told to me - straight off the bus drivers mouth,  I have advised that this bus driver  has publicly told me that from what this bus drivers hears, feels and sees on other bus drivers - he or she ( Can't tell who it is) is appalled at what other drivers are treating commuters around the area.

It is beyond doubt that all bus drivers need formal customer service training which will definitely reduce commuter complaints/frustrations and/or dissatisfactions of any negative public transport service or public transport offier's service. In fact each transport officer should  take down any feedback and refer to relevant authorities, so they can provide a customer service feedback program and use that to improve bus service and bus driver customer services. They are there proving a service to the community and they face the brunt of the community in good and bad times - a good bus driver will never get upset!

My recently deceased father), was a former tram conductor, bus driver, bus driver instructor and 3rd Class Bus Driver Inspector - he dealt in always with customers and sometime had to go to tribunals to represent the State Transit Authority at the time for petty disputes and  was never found to misrepresent his duties, he was a happy man and smiled and brought that smile at home. his means you have to be happy within life.

Lobby For New Bus Shelters On Woodstock Road Dharruk

Yes, I have been invited to lobby for bus shelters on Woodstock Road at the following bus stops where are at times standing commuters waiting for buses:

Woodstock Av - No.211 (After Karangi Rd), Dharruk Bus Stop Number 2770535 &
Woodstock Av (Workers Club), Dharruk                       Bus Stop Number 2770536


I have been told tht there is a need for these bus shelters and will refer to council front door - Councillor Jacqueline Donaldson and also back door - Blacktown City Council Transport Department and through 131500 Feedback Sheet.


We will keep you informed of the progress!